Among several casualties, war-hit Ukraine lost one of its youngest military commanders earlier this week. A ‘Hero of Ukraine’ awardee, Capt Valeriy Chybineiev succumbed to battle injuries on his 34th birthday on March 3, 2022. 

According to a report by Kyiv Independent, Capt Chybineiev died of battle wounds on the outskirts of Kyiv, near the city of Hostomel. 

The dead paratrooper was awarded the ‘Hero of Ukraine’ award, the highest honor granted by the president for “personal heroism and great labor achievements.” Introduced in 1998, only 509 people have received the award. Recipients of the honor include scientists, Olympic sportspersons and members of the military. 

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Capt Chybineiev joined the country’s armed forces in 2016 and was presented a gold star medal months after joining. Roman, Capt Chybineiev’s brother and a fellow member of the military died in battle in 2019. 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has put several civilians and members of the military to death. With tensions flaring, an exodus of refugees has fled to neighbouring countries like Poland and Romania. 

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In a meeting with Polish leaders on Saturday, US Secretary Antony Blinken stated, “Poland is doing vital work to respond to this crisis. It has done a great deal to facilitate security assistance to Ukraine. Since Jan 30, the US has more than doubled the no. of military personnel deployed in Poland to now more than 10,000.”

“Everything possible must be done to ensure evacuation. Russia’s aggression in Ukraine causes humanitarian crisis of an unimaginable scale. Our priority is organising effective aid for millions of refugees. Poland has already received up to 700,000 refugees,” ANI quoted the Foreign Minister of Poland. 

NATO allies have also stepped up, providing essential war equipment to Ukraine’s armed forces. A heavy shipment of American arsenal that landed in Ukraine’s airbase includes Stinger antiaircraft missiles, ammunition, guns, and rocket launchers.